World Cup 2026 travel warning: why international fans are skipping the US

Key Points:

• Foreign soccer fans are largely boycotting the 2026 World Cup, causing hotel reservations in nine of the 11 US host cities to fall significantly behind projections despite over 5 million tickets sold, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).
• Factors such as visa delays, immigration concerns, high airfares, a strong US dollar, and geopolitical tensions have deterred international travelers, who were expected to spend substantially more than domestic tourists and stay longer.
• FIFA canceled or released about 70% of its hotel room blocks, flooding the market and prompting cancellations of up to 95% of contracted inventory in some cities, leading to a grim outlook for most host cities except Atlanta and Miami.
• Proposed state and local tax hikes on lodging and prepared food threaten to worsen the slump, with cities like New Jersey and Philadelphia considering increases that could cost jobs and reduce economic activity.
• The AHLA urges FIFA to provide more clarity on hotel room blocks, calls for expedited visa processing, and recommends delaying new taxes and fees to maximize the tournament’s economic potential, while hoping for a last-minute booking surge during the knockout rounds.